The Power of Paranoia

Produced

• 2004

Key Features

45-minute VHS or DVD video

Roderick Kramer, a Stanford University professor of Organizational Behavior, shares insightful questions, tips and thoughts, including how to instill trust in others while maintaining the appropriate level of distrust within yourself.

Two decades of research on trust and cooperation in organizations have convinced Professor Kramer that an appropriate amount of distrust can in fact be beneficial in the workplace. Recent world events and dramatic business failures have underscored his argument that holding trust as your highest ideal can be dangerously naive. Roderick Kramer argues for the state he calls "prudent paranoia," which is a moderate form of suspicion.

"Prudent paranoia" actions include remaining vigilant by gathering data relentlessly. It also includes engaging in defensive preparedness, keeping your friends close and your enemies closer. This encourages bad news to rise to the top quickly so preemptive actions can be taken to avert disaster.  Professsor Kramer shows how this level of paranoia can prove highly valuable to the distrustful organization, or individual.

Roderick Kramer has written over ninety articles in leading psychology and organizational behavior journals, and is the author of "Power and Influence in Organizations: Structures and Processes and Trust in Organizations." He has taught at Oxford, Harvard, and the London Business School.

 

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